Having trouble sleeping because of snoring? Or having trouble balancing because there is an odd ringing in your ears? Then you need to see an ENT doctor as soon as possible. One of the oldest practices in the United States is otolaryngology, a field with trained physicians in medical and surgical management of patients with diseases pertaining to the ear, nose and throat. To keep it simple we call them ENT specialists.
Did you know that approximately 35 million Americans develop chronic sinusitis every year? This makes sinus-related disorders one the most common health complaints (up to 50%) patients have when they visit a healthcare provider. Some complaints patients also have are related to your voice-box, digestive-tract, esophagus, and sense of smell, hearing as well as the appearance of your face.
Let’s break down the seven areas of expertise in the field of otolaryngology:
- Allergies
- Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Head and Neck
- Laryngology
- Otology/Neurotology
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Rhinology
These are big words that actually just break down the human upper body. Now that you know what they do, how should you pick yours? This is a pretty cast question, but living in the United States there are some prominent issues which need to be addressed. It is a given that an ENT specialist will be board certified after the necessary schooling, but are you willing you to travel or do you want your specialist to be near you? And, the big one is, does the insurance cover the cost? An ENT specialist is a doctor, so they may not have some of these answers for you, so it may be your responsibility to find out some of this information.
Knowing what an ENT doctor is and what your responsibilities are is the beginning of your journey. But, when you have finally made that appointment, what more can you ask from your physician? Some people do not know what or how they can get their results after an appointment, which can slow down their treatment process. So, ask your ENT doctor if you can get a copy of your results at the appointment or have them emailed to you at your personal email address so you do not lose anything or are not misinformed. Children and adults may have separate requirements for treatment and management, and since some ENT disorders scary, it is imperative the ENT specialists have a conversation with the parents or guardians before speaking to the child.
ENT specialists have been trained in how to speak with their patients and help get through some rough diagnoses and treatments as well as the medical and surgical aspects. Do not feel that your concerns are not important or that they are silly, because the truth is that to each of your questions there is an answer.
- Ear infection
- Ear wax
- Hoarseness of your voice
- TMJ pain
- Voice disorders
- Motion sickness
- Mouth sores
- Meniere’s disease.
This is a small list because these disorders are somewhat of an anomaly and people who experience them may visit the wrong kind of doctor! Sometimes you do not need a neurologist or a gastroenterologist specialist, but an ENT specialist. With all the options out there for ENT specialists, it can become overwhelming. If you live in Arlington, Dallas or Fort Worth, Texas, contact Central Park ENT & Surgery center today. We provide you with a complete checkup and some treatment options, including balloon sinuplasty, child hearing screening, CPAP, hearing aids, ear tubes, and so much more.